The British History Podcast

Jamie Jeffers

The BHP is a chronological retelling of the history of Britain with a particular focus upon the lives of the people. You won’t find a dry recounting of dates and battles here, but instead you’ll learn about who these people were and how their desires, fears, and flaws shaped the scope of this island at the edge of the world. And some of those desires are downright scandalous. read less

Our Editor's Take

The British History Podcast retells stories from the early days of the United Kingdom. In chronological order, it relays each epoch in British history. Unlike most history books, it focuses on more than significant events. It focuses on the people who lived through them. What did the people who died in battle desire? What were they afraid of, and what mistakes did they make? How did all the people who lost their villages to war and city planning feel?

For Jamie Jeffers, history is never too distant to touch. He is the host and creator of The British History Podcast. He believes everyone can benefit from listening to these stories. In days past, people learned their history through oral tradition. The podcast aims to connect with history in this way. For Jeffers, this method of sharing history makes it accessible to everyone.

Listeners don't need to be from Wales, Scotland, or England to love this podcast. Its concept makes British history relatable to all. It covers topics like the wars between England and France. Its long-range royal watching assesses the fate of King William. Another subject is the tragedy of the Siege of Exeter, which left thousands dead. There are also lesser-known tales like those of Hereward the Wake and Godwinson's revenge.

The British History Podcast's retelling of these stories reveals the inner lives of the people who were there long ago. This approach offers even experts a new perspective.

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Play Trailer

1 – A History of Britain

1 – A History of Britain

My name is Jamie, and this show is a chronological retelling of the story of Britain, from its very earliest days when prehistoric man shared the island with Giant Deer and massive earth grinding glaciers… all the way to the dawn of the Second World War. This show focuses upon the people, the drama, and […] The post 1 – A History of Britain first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Season 9

Chapter 9 – The Normans

Chapter 9 – The Normans

The King is dead. The post Chapter 9 – The Normans first appeared on The British History Podcast.

A Quick Update From Zee

A Quick Update From Zee

A New Shoptalk Just Dropped The post A Quick Update From Zee first appeared on The British History Podcast.

392 – The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors

392 – The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors

Chaos. The orderly rhythm of attacks… and the steady wall of the war hedge had dissolved, and it was replaced by a raging melee. The post 392 – The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors first appeared on The British History Podcast.

393 – To Kill a Legend

393 – To Kill a Legend

Here is how you probably heard the story of the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror boarded a ship, won a battle at Hastings, and was crowned King. Kingdom. Conqueror. Conquered. The post 393 – To Kill a Legend first appeared on The British History Podcast.

394 – Godwinson’s Revenge

394 – Godwinson’s Revenge

The Battle of Hastings had been brutal – even for the Normans. The invading army had suffered terrible losses. The post 394 – Godwinson’s Revenge first appeared on The British History Podcast.

395 – Rearranging the Deck chairs on HMS England

395 – Rearranging the Deck chairs on HMS England

It was autumn of 1066 and after weeks of deliberation, political wrangling, and arguing the English nobility had finally selected their next King. This may seem like a long time, considering there was a whole invasion happening at the time. And it was. But, to be fair, the politics were very confusing. The post 395 – Rearranging the Deck chairs on HMS England first appeared on The British History Podcast.

396 – King William I of England

396 – King William I of England

Duke William was experienced at wielding terror. Whether he was at home or on campaign, William often employed terror tactics. The people of France were well aware of this, and now the English were learning his skill first hand. The post 396 – King William I of England first appeared on The British History Podcast.

397 – William: The Devil Inside

397 – William: The Devil Inside

It was Christmas Day of 1066 and England was crowning it’s new King. In celebration, the King’s men…heavily armed and backed by divine authority, were going from building to building… taking whatever they wanted, doing whatever they felt like to the people inside, and then lighting it all on fire. The first act of Norman […] The post 397 – William: The Devil Inside first appeared on The British History Podcast.

398 – William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers

398 – William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers

Do you remember the holy man who asked Edgar the AEtheling to confirm him as the Abbot of Peterborough, just after the Battle of Hastings? Well, that guy’s name was Brand. The previous Abbot of Peterborough, Leofric, had actually marched to Hastings with Harold. But Leofric didn’t make it. So the job fell to Brand, […] The post 398 – William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers first appeared on The British History Podcast.

399 – Into the Wild

399 – Into the Wild

1067 was a time of incredible change within England. Fortresses were being constructed everywhere. Existing fortresses were seized and then manned by foreign mercenaries. Estates and farms in the surrounding areas were being seized and handed over to many of these same foreigners. The post 399 – Into the Wild first appeared on The British History Podcast.

400 – William: This is Fine

400 – William: This is Fine

Feudalism had officially come to England, courtesy of the Normans… The post 400 – William: This is Fine first appeared on The British History Podcast.

401 – Norms and Normans

401 – Norms and Normans

Last week we left off with Dover with some good old fashioned french on french violence… Count Eustace had attacked and attempted to seize the Southern Town… and lost. In fact, he had lost so badly that his poor young nephew (who had never fought in battle before but, trusting his uncle, joined him on […] The post 401 – Norms and Normans first appeared on The British History Podcast.

402 – Fire Sale

402 – Fire Sale

Earl Osulf II of Bamburgh was a Northumbrian, and he had earned his seat ruling over the region North of the Tyne in true Northumbrian fashion. The post 402 – Fire Sale first appeared on The British History Podcast.

403 – The Siege of Exeter

403 – The Siege of Exeter

Exeter stood in open defiance against William and his army. The post 403 – The Siege of Exeter first appeared on The British History Podcast.

404 – The Coronation of Queen Matilda

404 – The Coronation of Queen Matilda

Gytha and her supporters had fled into the Severn Estuary, and it was the final nail in the coffin of the Exeter rebellion. With no help coming, they were forced to negotiate a peace. But this wasn’t exactly a victory for William, either. He’d been on the throne for scarcely over a year, and he’d […] The post 404 – The Coronation of Queen Matilda first appeared on The British History Podcast.

405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity

405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity

Here is the beginning of Hereward the Wake. And to tell this story, we have to begin with the legend, because nothing in this story is straightforward. Probably because at least some of it is true. The post 405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity first appeared on The British History Podcast.

406 – King’s Rook Takes Pawn

406 – King’s Rook Takes Pawn

In early 1068… as William was preparing for the tactical Coronation of Matilda… the three sons of Harold Godwinson were in Ireland. They had come to meet with King Diarmad of Dublin and prepare an invasion force to re-take England. The post 406 – King’s Rook Takes Pawn first appeared on The British History Podcast.

407 – Robbing the Hood

407 – Robbing the Hood

I feel for the English commoners in the late 1060’s. They had nothing to do with the arrival of the Normans… everything they suffered was the result of the actions of the nobles. Exclusively. The post 407 – Robbing the Hood first appeared on The British History Podcast.

408 – Kerosene

Happy New Year! It was 1069… nice… and as the new year dawned…things in England were getting a bit weird. The post 408 – Kerosene first appeared on The British History Podcast.

409 – The First Sparks

409 – The First Sparks

In 1068, a pivotal moment unfolds in Northumbria, where the assassination of Earl Robert at Durham sparks a large-scale rebellion against Norman rule. This event signifies a shift in English resistance, transforming disparate uprisings into a coordinated army ready for rebellion. The construction of a castle in Durham underlines the strategic shift, emphasizing preparedness and […] The post 409 – The First Sparks first appeared on The British History Podcast.